How to treat an infected navel piercing

While waiting for the wound to heal after navel piercing, it’s important to avoid irritating the wound. In addition, preventing infection is essential to minimize irritation in the piercing. The most important measure to prevent and treat infection is to wash the wound thoroughly. You can also reduce inflammation caused by an infection by protecting and disinfecting your piercing.

Table of Contents

Keep your piercing clean

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Wash your piercing daily. Washing the wound regularly is the most effective way to speed up the healing process after a piercing. It shortens the period of pain and inflammation, and helps prevent serious complications such as infection. ^{[1] X Research Source}

After washing your hands with soap and warm water, ^{[2] X Trusted Source Centers for Disease Contrp and Prevention Go to the source,} use a cotton swab or cotton ball dipped in saline solution or a mild antibacterial soap to Wash both piercings, remember to wash the navel as well.
Gently rotate the piercing 4 times after washing the wound.
You can make your own salt solution by dissolving half a teaspoon of salt in 1 cup of warm water.
Continue washing your piercing and surrounding skin 1-2 times a day until the redness, swelling, and oozing that usually occurs after navel piercings have subsided.

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Wash your piercing every time you shower. Once the wound in your navel piercing has healed, regular cleaning is still important. You should take a shower instead of a tub bath, as the bath water can contain bacteria that can cause piercing infections. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

Do not use cotton towels or loofahs to clean your navel piercing. These materials can be a haven for bacteria, and can also get caught in the piercing and irritate the wound.
Use mild soap to wash both piercings, navel and surrounding skin.
Use the shower to wash off the soap.

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Do not allow bodily fluids to come into contact with the piercing. A common irritant and source of navel piercing infection is bodily fluids, both yours and those of others. Avoid getting saliva, sweat, and other secretions into your navel or the skin around your piercing. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

When you’re sweating, you need to wash your navel piercing as soon as possible.

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Avoid water immersion. Do not enter a lake, soak in a hot tub, or swim in a natural pond while your piercing is not healed or is infected. Even a clean, well-maintained and chemically treated swimming pool can harbor bacteria that can cause infections or prolong recovery time. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

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Follow instructions for keeping the wound clean. After your piercing, you will be taught how to clean your piercing and help it heal. Remember all their instructions and write them down if you’re afraid to forget.

If you experience discomfort or infection in your piercing, call the facility where you got your piercing and ask them what to do.

Minimize physical irritants

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Avoid contact sports activities for 2 weeks. The navel piercing is especially prone to irritation during the first few weeks. During this critical period of recovery, avoid any physical activity, especially strenuous exercise, which can impede recovery. ^{[6] X Research Sources}

Do not play team sports such as football or basketball until the wound is completely healed.
You should also avoid high intensity stretches for 2 weeks such as rock climbing or yoga.

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Wear loose clothing. Even the slightest amount of friction or rubbing can irritate the navel piercing. During the period when the wound has not yet healed after the piercing or infection, you need to wear loose clothing, do not constantly rub or press on the piercing hole. ^{[7] X Research Sources}

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Try to sleep on your back. One thing you need to pay attention to is to prevent irritation of the navel piercing while sleeping. Sleeping on your side is okay, but it’s best to lie on your back. Most importantly, avoid sleeping on your stomach. ^{[8] X Research Sources}

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Don’t play with your navel piercing. If you often touch your piercing, it will become irritated and even lead to infection. Especially avoid inadvertently touching or shaking the navel piercing. ^{[9] X Research Source}

When you want to adjust your jewelry or touch your piercing for other reasons, be sure to wash your hands first.

Treatment of infection

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Recognize signs of infection. The skin around the piercing may be red, painful, and/or swollen for several weeks after the piercing. However, if these symptoms persist for 3 weeks, the wound may be infected. Similarly, yellow discharge is normal for 1 week after navel piercing, but if the discharge continues to ooze, turns green, or is bloody, it is a sign of infection. ^{[10] X Research Source}

Other signs of infection include excessive scaling around one or both piercings, persistent pain or stinging to the touch, sensitive skin, visible perforation of the piercing, loose or loose jewelry. go out.
If you notice any of these symptoms, see your doctor.

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Disinfect the wound with saline gauze. Applying salt water is another way to wash and disinfect your navel piercing, helping to relieve pain or inflammation caused by an infection. Dissolve ¼ teaspoon of salt in 1 cup of warm water at a safe temperature. Use a cotton ball or clean gauze pad dipped in the solution. Lie on your back and apply a saline compress to your navel for 10 minutes. ^{[11] X Research Source}

Apply twice a day to kill bacteria and reduce inflammation.
Dry the navel with a disposable product such as a tissue. You can also use gauze or a clean cloth.

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Do not remove jewelry or use antibiotic ointment. You may feel like you should, but it actually takes longer for the wound to heal. Removing jewelry can lead to other complications, and antibiotic ointments can trap bacteria in the piercing. ^{[12] X Research Source}

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Consider complementary therapies. Tea Tree Oil, ^{[13] X Trusted Source PubMed Central Go To Aloe Source} , ^{[14] X Trusted Source PubMed Central Go To White Vinegar And Chamomile Tea Source}^{[15] X Trusted Source Trust PubMed Central Go to source} is also said to have anti-infective properties. Although saline rinses are the recommended method for disinfecting piercings, the above treatments can also help reduce inflammation and symptoms of infection. ^{[16] X Research Source}

Aloe vera gel can help soothe irritated piercings and prevent scarring. You can buy aloe vera gel at drugstores.

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See your doctor for a severe infection. Home remedies may not be enough to cure a persistent infection. If you have an infection that lasts more than a week, make an appointment with your doctor to see it. ^{[17] X Research Source}

If the navel area is swollen, painful, and/or continues to bleed or discharge, see your doctor as soon as possible.

Steps

Keep your piercing clean

Minimize physical irritants

Treatment of infection

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